In recent years, injuries in the National Football League has raised concerns among parents and individuals considering placing their child, or participating in playing football. Football is a sport in which an offensive team tries to advance the ball down the play field by running or throwing throwing a ball to acquire positive yards. Defensive players aim to stop their progress and take possession of the ball. The main way defensive players stop progress is by performing a tackle, a movement which requires strength and technique. With the popularization of football in American culture, high impact tackles have been attributed to the sport. Because of this there have been numerous concerns, many with instructions to reduce the amount of collisions[1] .
Background
Tackling is a fundamental part in American Football that requires another player to bring the ball carrier down to the ground. It is a physical and intense aspect of the game which requires precision, and technique. Tackling is necessary to prevent an opposing team from gaining yards, or potentially scoring points. In a proper tackle, a player must wrap both arms around a eligible ball carrier, drive them to the ground and maintain control until the play is ruled dead. The history of tackling in football dates back to the early 1900s when the sport was still in its infancy. Tackling was initially a dangerous and unregulated aspect of the game that often led to severe injuries. However, as the sport evolved, so did the rules surrounding tackling. It is currently encouraged that a player engaging in a tackle initiate contact with their shoulder, chest, or arms to prevent injury of the head, or neck. There have been significant innovations made in modern gear, and the games ruling system which has had a positive impact on improved safety equipment on player health.
Football, with many roots relating to rugby, glorifies the strength, and technique needed to properly execute a good tackle. Much like rugby, American football originally had minimal padding, the first football players did not wear any protective gear, and their uniforms were simple and light [3]with helmets not being recognized by colleges in 1939, and the NFL in 1943.
CC BY-SA 3.0
Before rule renovations, football players were constantly engaging in dangerous and unhealthy collisions that were often celebrated by both coaches and fans. The harder the hit, the more praise a player would receive. Whether it was a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, or an incomplete pass, the ability to use raw strength and agility to deliver a bone-crushing blow was seen as a key component in establishing winning momentum for a team. Unfortunately, this pressure to make big hits often led players to resort to dangerous collision techniques that resulted in serious injuries.
In recent times, the NFL’s safety concerns have become a burning issue, and for a good reason. The growing understanding of the perils that come with football-related injuries has brought these concerns to the forefront. Consequently, the NFL has taken significant steps towards improving player safety by introducing changes to training regimes, equipment, and rules. The National Football League (NFL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have been grappling with the alarming safety concerns surrounding the game. The high frequency of concussions and head injuries resulting from the intense collisions on the field has been a cause for worry. But, the NFL is not one to shy away from the challenge of ensuring player safety. They have taken a proactive approach to make football a safer sport for everyone involved.
The Change
The NFL has made numerous alterations to their training equipment since its origin. The NFL has implemented various changes to protect players from injuries, especially concussions. This first started with the addition of leather helmets, and vests to the sport. But because these yielded little to no protection against head and other bodily injuries, equipment with hard shells and padding became the new standard of safety.
Brands like Riddell, and Schutt have taken pioneer roles in this by producing high tech helmets made with computer-aided design. Examples of these include the Riddell Speedflex[4] . This software allowed manufacturers to create 3D models of a helmet, which fit ergonomically to players heads. Modern football helmets now consist of a hard outer shell made of polycarbonate, which is impact- resistant, and an inner shell made of foam padding that helps absorb the shock of impact [5]. Furthermore, with the addition of Kevlar and carbon fiber material, equipment is stronger and lighter than pre descending materials.
The Evolution of American Football Helmets, video posted by HONIRAF under CC BY-SA 3.0
One of the most recent notable changes the NFL has set as standard practice is the introduction of the “concussion protocol,” which requires players to undergo a thorough evaluation following a hit to the head[6]. This protocol involves examining the player’s cognitive function, balance, and coordination, among other factors, and ensuring that they are symptom-free before returning to play. This is essential in preventing second-impact syndrome, a repeated hit to the brain before symptoms of an earlier concussion have subsided.
Another change made by the NFL is the introduction of new rules that prohibit certain types of hits, such as the “helmet-to-helmet” hit, which is now a penalty and can result in a fine or a player’s ejection from the game. These changes have shown to be effective in reducing the number of injuries in the NFL, particularly concussions. These injuries can have long-term effects on the players, including memory loss, depression, and even chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The NFL, and many associated organizations have taken steps to address these safety concerns, including implementing new rules to protect players and investing in research to better understand the effects of head injuries. In 2018, the NCAA passed a rule that prohibits players from lowering their head to initiate contact with an opponent[7]. However, there is still room for improvement, and the NFL continues to explore new ways to protect their players while maintaining the integrity of the game.
Youth football and Beyond
With football being a full contact sport, the risks of injuries to players have raised concerns among parents, coaches, and healthcare professionals. To address this issue, various strategies have been proposed to make youth football safer.
Head Up! Football is a program that has been implemented to promote lasting player safety and provide a better understanding of injury prone actions in the sport of football. Initially created with the intention of teaching young football players how to tackle in a safe and effective manner. Heads Up Football is a prevention based approach to coaching, which includes tackling techniques, proper equipment fitting, and concussion recognition which will hopefully eliminate. Coaches are trained to teach proper tackling techniques, including keeping their heads up and using their shoulders to make contact with the ball carrier. In addition to teaching proper technique, this movement also makes importance of situational awareness and decision-making which are key in the split second between breaking down, and executing a proper tackle. The program has been successful in reducing the number of head impacts and concussions in youth football players [8].
Teaching Tackling, video by USA Football shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
With proper training, coaching, and discipline football can be an amazing, safe sport which tests both mental and physical fortitude. However, it is critical that parents, coaches, and players come to understand the risks associated with football and whether or not a child should participate. When making decisions like these it is important to weight the potential benefits and drawbacks, By educating yourself on the potential risks, consulting with medical professionals, and understanding a child’s unique circumstances and preferences, you can make an informed decision that prioritizes long term health and happiness. Ultimately, football can be a thrilling and rewarding sport, but it is important to approach it with caution and mindfulness. With the right mindset, training, and support, football can be an incredible experience that helps children develop important life skills and create lasting memories.
This blog “Football and CTE: Debunking the myths and clearing the truth” by Jayvon George is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
“American Football” by Wikipedia contributors is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Concussion” by Wikipedia contributors is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Works Cited
1.”5 Steps to Protect Football Players’ Brains and Keep the Sport Alive.” Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2021, www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-08-29/5-steps-to-protect-football-players-brains-and-keep-the-sport-alive.
2. Photograph by Nath Rupert, https://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/8178963012
3. G Onambele-Pearson.”A review of facial protective equipment use in sport and the impact on injury incidence.”https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266435611000064
4. Portrait by UMD Special Collections, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalcollectionsum/8120466217
5. Collins, M., Lovell, M. R., Iverson, G. L., Ide, T., & Maroon, J. (2006). Examining concussion rates and return to play in high school football players wearing newer helmet technology: a three-year prospective cohort study. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.unh-proxy01.newhaven.edu/16462481/
6. Honiraf, “The Evolution of American Football Helmets”,Youtube, Uploaded by HONIRAF 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6EmiZx9JUY
7. NFL Concussion Protocol Explained: Symptoms, Evaluation, Return to Play.” NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports, 2021, www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/nfl-concussion-protocol-explained-symptoms-evaluation-return-play.
8. How NCAA, College Football Limit Concussions, CTE.” Global Sport Matters, 9 Mar. 2022, globalsportmatters.com/health/2022/03/09/how-ncaa-college-football-limit-concussions-cte/.
9. ZY Kerr.”Comparison of Indiana high school football injury rates by inclusion of the USA Football “Heads Up Football” player safety coach.”https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2325967116648441
10. USA Football . “Teaching Tackling – Heads Up Tackling.”, Youtube, Uploaded by USA Football 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXx3f9AO9Uw
Audience: Individuals concerned over recent, and prior stipulations concerning the safety of football. Individuals who wish to play the sport, and wish to learn more about its history.
